Hyden Bruce, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2027
Age: 32
Hometown: Takoma Park, MD
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Excelsior University, Liberal Arts Major
Pre-MBA Work Experience: U.S. Army – 11 years; most recent role: Senior Healthcare and Operations Manager (equivalent)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I have been so fortunate to serve my country, travel the world, and work with amazing people throughout my time in the Army. After I took time to reassess my personal goals, I decided that it was time to exit the military and pivot into a different career. I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of functions in the military, but I’m attending business school to gain foundational business skills and to learn how to translate my Army experiences to the business world.
Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The Fertitta Veterans MBA Program at Stern, a program generously established by alumnus Lorenzo Fertitta (MBA ’93) and brother Frank Fertitta III in 2016 was a major reason I wanted to attend Stern. The Fertitta cohort starts class in July to complete “Financial Accounting and Reporting” and “Statistics and Data Analysis” as a part of NYU Stern’s core MBA classes, which is extremely beneficial for students who have been away from academia for several years. Additionally, the NYU Stern Careers team arranged weekly corporate visits to a variety of companies so students could gain exposure and insight into possible career interests. To me, the Fertitta program, the Fertitta family’s scholarship contributions, and Stern’s participation in the Veterans Administration Yellow Ribbon program exemplify the action behind NYU Stern’s commitment to veteran success in business school. My classmates and I are so appreciative to the Fertitta family for establishing this extraordinary program. If you are a veteran planning to pivot into an MBA program, you should absolutely apply to Stern.
Secondly, the people drew me to Stern. Everyone I spoke to was so supportive of my MBA journey, even helping me with application and interview prep during their study abroad courses or during winter break. The sacrifices they made for me before I had been accepted spoke volumes and emphasized the collaborative, supportive environment I was looking to be a part of.
Lastly, I knew that I wanted to attend a school that provided me with access to as many companies and alumni as possible as I transitioned out of the military. As they say, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and I wanted to gain exposure to as many industries, roles, and functions as I could. I learned quickly that the wealth of opportunities in New York City paired with the vast NYU Stern alumni network would set me up for success as I pursued my MBA and my future career.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I enlisted in the Army in 2014, and after a decade of service around the world and in high-stakes roles, I bring resilience, adaptability, and calm under pressure. I hope to bring this unique perspective as I pivot into the classroom, and I’m so excited to learn from my classmates’ experiences in the corporate world.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I had the opportunity to be a caddy during the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am 3M Celebrity Challenge, and got a chance to meet Clint Eastwood, Scott Berman, Ray Romano, and Huey Lewis.
Post-MBA career interests:
Business Management & Operations, Technology, Entrepreneurship
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
It was so helpful to reach out to current and past MBA students during my application process! They gave honest feedback about their MBA programs, proofread my essays, and reviewed my resume. Later on in the process they practiced mock interview questions with me which made a huge difference going into the real thing. My biggest takeaway: don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have narrowed down my list of schools earlier on in the application cycle. I initially had a list of eight schools I planned to apply to, but I was still fulfilling my daily military duties and studying for the GRE while researching programs and talking to students. Looking back, I truly didn’t have the bandwidth to focus on such a vast list (for me) of MBA programs at that time. I would have been more decisive and honed in on the top three to four- schools from that list within the first couple months of the cycle, allowing me to better balance work, GRE prep, and application requirements.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could have skipped one part of the MBA application process, it would have been the GRE standardized testing preparation. I dedicated so much time and so many resources to studying for the exam (and the retest), that I had to shift my application submission to a later round. To overcome this as I prepared for my second test attempt, I leveraged test prep resources to identify specific areas of improvement within both the verbal and quantitative sections. I worked with an advisor to create a focused study schedule that allocated time to application essays and set realistic goals as I worked on practice problems and tests. This helped me stay focused, grasp difficult concepts, and perform well on my second exam day.
What is your initial impression of the NYU Stern students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the NYU Stern community is the supportiveness. The students exhibit a strong sense of camaraderie and collaboration, creating a culture focused on sharing knowledge and paying it forward. The cohort is filled with diversity and variety, both personally and professionally, and this contributes to an environment focused on growth and professional development. Second-year MBA students, professors, and the MBA Careers Team are all extremely invested in the success of first-year MBA students and are willing to provide support in any way possible. There are so many resources available, from student mentors to one-on-one meetings with members of the Careers Team to interview and casing practice with professional clubs. A culture of collaboration and giving back is very evident within the NYU Stern community.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined the Military Veterans, Private Equity/Venture Capital, Stern Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, Cellars, and Stern Management and Strategy Clubs. I want to take full advantage of the wide-ranging professional groups at NYU Stern to broaden my professional horizons, prepare for recruiting, and engage with others in spaces that interest me.
What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I expected to be a little fish in a sea of 300+ MBA candidates in the heart of NYC, but the opposite has happened. I never could have anticipated joining a close-knit network that has been built within cohorts, clubs, and mentorship programs at NYU Stern, and that sense of community and connection remains constant in and out of the classroom.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to explore New York City with my classmates and experience all the diverse cuisines the city has to offer!
